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once upon a time
a country mouse took home to his hole
a city mouse of old acquaintance
he a rough and ready type and thrifty
though he liked a pleasant feast well
he took out from his store of grain
and raisins and small side of bacon
for a banquet to regale his urbane guest
who hardly put each morsel in his mouth
whereas mine host reclining on fresh straw
ate raw grain and left the best for company
the town mouse said look here
why tarry on the wide edge of the world
come with me from the forest into town
where life is really now come on
we none of us can live forever
and all of us must perish soon or late
so come on now enjoy your fill
and don't forget your time is short
the country mouse listened
and left home
and so they traveled to the city
entering the city wall by night
and in the middle of the night
they came into a mansion upholstered
scarlet on divans made of ivory
with basketfuls of leftovers
from a feast held the evening before
the town mouse put his friend at ease and went
about like a servant tending table
course on course and tasting like a watchman
everything he put down first
the visitor was lolling in good hap
and savoring the hospitality
when doors burst open and they ran
right down the hall as scared as
hell to hear the big dogs howling
in the house the country mouse said
not for me farewell my forest hole
is safe and I won't starve on grain
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